At Fullerton, it's about rugby, not football

Cal State Fullerton's Artie Hernandez looks to make a quick pass with the rugby ball as UCSD players surround him during a home game at Titan Stadium. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Cal State Fullerton Schedule

Feb. 16 vs. USC

Feb. 23 at Claremont

March 2 at UC Irvine

March 9 vs. Santa Barbara City

March 23 at USD

March 30 at Long Beach State

April 12 Playoffs

Rugby Scoring System

The game is played in two 40-minutes halves, and the objective is to outscore your opponents through four means of scoring:

Try: Essentially the touchdown of rugby. A team is awarded five points when a player touches the ball down in an opponent's in-goal area or on its goal line. A try also warrants a conversion kick.

Conversion Kick: Occurs after a try. It is taken from a spot in line with where the ball was grounded. Scoring as close to the post as possible is most beneficial, because it calls for an easier kick. A successful kick through the H-style uprights is worth an additional two points.

Penalty Kick: Awarded for various infractions and can be used to take a kick at the goal, which if successful is worth three points.

Dropped Goal: Occurs when a player with possession drops the ball on the ground, and kicks it as it bounces back up. If the ball goes through the uprights, it is worth three points.

FULLERTON Why is the Super Bowl so popular?

For a majority of fans, it's to tune in to see some of the greatest athletes in the world showcase their abilities. They mix size with speed and recognition of the evolving play with force.

There's a reason football is called a collision sport, but it's one of the main characteristics that makes the game so popular.

With the season wrapped up, where do fans turn to get their fix of physicality?

For a few hundred spectators, it was at Titan Stadium this past weekend where the Cal State Fullerton rugby team opened its season against UC San Diego.

If you've never seen a rugby match, it's quite an experience.

There are 30 players on the field at one time (15-on-15), and every one of them is eligible to touch the egg-shaped ball at any moment. Some are built like offensive linemen, while others look like your average soccer player. Regardless of size, the one thing they all have in common is toughness.

"It's nonstop action," said Titan fly-half Artie Hernandez. "You can get tackled or go down and make a tackle – either way, as soon as you hit the ground you need to get back and keep running because the game doesn't stop just because you stopped."

Hernandez, who is the team president, described the game as a mix of soccer and football – soccer representing the constant action in play and football representing the physical nature of the game.

"It's nonstop violence," he said. "It's a 'hooligan sport played by gentlemen.' That's the rugby saying."

The hits are hard, and they're dished out consistently.

There are no pads, no helmets and no shin guards.

Although rugby is a club sport at Cal State Fullerton, which has played it since 1985, you would never be able to tell. Athletic trainers were on hand and stayed busy throughout the night. Some of the hits left players dazed and warranted concussion tests on the sidelines.

Each jersey number specifies a player's position as well as his responsibilities:

•Nos. 1 through 8 are forwards – essentially the offensive line when you have the ball and the defensive line when defending. They are the bigger guys on the team, and their primary responsibility is to win possession of the ball.

Cal State Fullerton's Artie Hernandez looks to make a quick pass with the rugby ball as UCSD players surround him during a home game at Titan Stadium. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Cal State Fullerton's Hernandez is tackled by a UCSD player. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Panayiotis Evangehlos Papadopoulos, middle, pumps up his fellow Cal State Fullerton rugby teammates during halftime. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Cal State Fullerton rugby coach Philip John Grieve gives his team an emotional pep-talk during halftime. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Panayiotis Evangehlos Papadopoulos runs full force through UCSD players attempting to defend. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.